sheashannara

a few thoughts from yesterday and last month:

So many people yesterday told me, "I didn't even know it was Father's Day," cuz it doesn't get anywhere near the advertising that Mother's Day does.

I heard quite a lot variations yesterday of, "Well, I am not close to my dad," or "Haven't spoken to my dad in years" or "Haven't seen my dad since he left us," which is heartbreaking. But, last month I heard quite a few "My mom never wanted us," or "My mom checked out and I had to raise my siblings," or "My mom was addicted to something, and she was annoyed whenever she had to focus on us," which is also heartbreaking.

I read somewhere that, the way you raise your kids when they depend on you for their survival colors how they will interact with you when they no longer do. In other words, if you treat your kids like an obligation and are super strict/abusive to them when they're young, don't be surprised if they don't want to be around you as adults. And, that behavior leaves lasting scars; I cannot tell you how many adults have either emotional (and/or physical) scars from their childhood and their parents (honestly, it would be quicker to list those who DON'T have those scars)...